Prize Recipient

Jorge Lopez
University of Texas, El Paso

Citation:

"For extensive research accomplishments in theoretical nuclear physics, pioneering work in heavy ion collision dynamics and development of systematic ways to study problems of nuclear fragmentation and his relentless work in building bridges to Latin America and his outreach to the Hispanic community to increase diversity in Physics."

Background:

Jorge Lopez earned BS and MS degrees at the University of Texas at El Paso, and a Ph.D. at Texas A&M University in 1986 with highest honors and earning the Best Thesis Award. He went to the Niels Bohr Institute and Lawrence Berkeley Lab for postdoctoral stays and returned to his alma mater in 1990 where he has been Assistant, Associate and Professor, as well as Associate Dean and Department Chair. Dr. Lopez is a Fellow of APS, has been President of the Texas Section of APS, Chair of the Committee on Minorities, President of The National Society of Hispanic Physicists, and is current President of the Division of Radiation Physics of Mexican Physics Society. His research has focused on nuclear physics, but has also studied gravity waves, astrophysics, physics education, pre-K science teaching, materials science, and applications of scientific methods to political science, anthropology and cultural heritage. He has edited and written six books and published over 100 articles, and organized regional, national and international meetings. He received the 2014 Mentoring award from the Division of Nuclear Physics of APS, the 2009 Hyer Research Award from the Texas Section of APS, and was admitted to the Mexican Academy of Sciences in 2012. His biggest source of pride is the large number of BS, MS and PhD students he has supervised to date: 60.